5727.28
Refunds.

(A)
The treasurer of state shall refund to a
natural gas company or combined company subject to the tax imposed by section
5727.24 of the Revised Code, the
amount of tax paid illegally or erroneously, or paid on an illegal or erroneous
assessment. Applications for a refund shall be filed with the tax commissioner,
on a form prescribed by the commissioner, within four years of the illegal or
erroneous payment of the tax.

On the filing of the application, the commissioner shall
determine the amount of refund to which the applicant is entitled. If the
amount is not less than that claimed, the commissioner shall certify the amount
to the director of budget and management and treasurer of state for payment
from the tax refund fund under section
5703.052 of the Revised Code. If
the amount is less than that claimed, the commissioner shall proceed in
accordance with section
5703.70 of the Revised Code.

If the application for refund is for taxes paid on an illegal
or erroneous assessment, the commissioner shall include in the certified amount
interest calculated at the rate per annum prescribed by section
5703.47 of the Revised Code from
the date of overpayment to the date of the commissioner's certification.

(B)
If a natural gas
company or combined company entitled to a refund of taxes under this section,
or section
5703.70 of the Revised Code, is
indebted to the state for any tax or fee administered by the tax commissioner
that is paid to the state, or any charge, penalty, or interest arising from
such a tax or fee, the amount refundable may be applied in satisfaction of that
debt. If the amount refundable is less than the amount of the debt, it may be
applied in partial satisfaction of the debt. If the amount refundable is
greater than the amount of the debt, the amount remaining after satisfaction of
the debt shall be refunded.

(C)
In
lieu of granting a refund under division (A) or (B) of this section, the tax
commissioner may allow a natural gas company or combined company to claim a
credit of the amount of the tax refund on the return for the period during
which the tax became refundable. The commissioner may require the company to
submit information to support a claim for a credit under this division, and the
commissioner may disallow the credit if the information is not provided.